Have you heard about Honey? It’s that browser extension that promises to save you money while you shop online. Many people think it’s a great tool. But what if I told you that it might not be what it seems? Let’s dive into the world of Honey and uncover the truth.
Honey is a free browser extension. It claims to automatically apply coupon codes at checkout. That sounds great, right? It feels like getting free money. But here’s the catch: there’s more to the story. Many influencers have promoted Honey, but are they telling the whole truth?
What’s Really Happening with Honey?
The truth is, Honey has been misleading both consumers and influencers. Many influencers might not even know that Honey is taking money from them. This scam might have cost content creators millions! Can you believe that? It’s shocking.
Honey is owned by PayPal. They bought Honey for four billion dollars. That’s a lot of money! But how can a company with such a big name be involved in something so shady? Let’s break it down.
How Honey Steals from Influencers
When you click on an influencer’s link to buy something, they earn a commission. This is how affiliate marketing works. You buy, they get paid. But here’s where it gets tricky. If you have Honey installed and it pops up at checkout, it can replace the influencer’s tracking link with its own. This means Honey gets the money, not the influencer!
Imagine you’re at a store. A salesperson helps you pick out a TV. You have their referral card. But just as you’re about to pay, another person says, “Wait! Let me check for discounts!” They take the referral card and claim the sale for themselves. That’s exactly what Honey does online.

Testing Honey’s Claims
I tested Honey myself. I clicked on various affiliate links and saw the same thing happen each time. Honey would take the commission away from the influencer. I reached out to Honey to ask about this and they admitted that if they are the last program used while shopping, they would get credit for the purchase. This is not fair to the influencers who worked hard to promote their products.
The Last Click Attribution Problem
In affiliate marketing, there’s a rule called “last click attribution.” This means that whoever gets the last click before the purchase gets the commission. Honey knows this and tries to be the last click. They pop up at checkout, making it difficult for influencers to earn their rightful commissions.
Let’s say you were watching a video from your favorite influencer about a cool gadget. You click their link and add the gadget to your cart. But when you check out, Honey jumps in, tries to apply codes, and steals the credit. Even if Honey doesn’t find a discount, they still take the commission. This is a huge problem for many influencers.
Honey Gold: The Cashback Trap
Now, let’s talk about Honey Gold, which is now called PayPal rewards. When you check out, Honey offers you points if you let them claim the commission. Sounds good, right? But here’s the catch: the points you get are worth far less than what Honey earns. You might get a few cents back, while Honey pockets a lot more. This is not a fair deal!

Consumers Are Misled Too
Honey has also misled consumers. They claim to find the best deals online. But often, they only show codes that their partner stores allow. If a store has a better deal, Honey might not show it. So, when you think you’re getting the best deal, you might actually be missing out on better discounts.
Many users have reported that Honey doesn’t find them good codes. Instead, they find codes that are less valuable. This raises questions about their honesty. Are they really looking for the best deals, or just making sure they get paid?
Conclusion: A Call for Awareness
In conclusion, Honey might seem like a great tool, but it has many hidden problems. Consumers need to be aware that they might not be getting the best deals. Influencers should know that Honey could be taking money from them without their knowledge.

It’s essential to stay informed and make smart choices while shopping online. If you’re using Honey, you may want to think twice. Always check for codes yourself and support the influencers you love by using their links directly. The truth is, sometimes, free things come with hidden costs.
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it often is. Stay alert and keep asking questions!